Chinese prepared to indulge in luxury travel

October 31, 2007 | Online Travel

Chinese tourists spend an average of US$3,000 per overseas trip, a recent survey has found. The total includes money for shopping sprees abroad, luxurious accommodation and expenses prior to the trip.

The survey, conducted by the Nielsen Company and Pacific Asia Travel Association, showed travelers to Europe to be the biggest spenders, splashing out an average of $5,253 per trip.

In comparison, those holidaying in Asia spent about $1,900 per person.

The exceptions were those traveling to Hong Kong and Macao - the long-preferred shopping and entertainment destinations for Chinese - whose average spend was US$2,185.

Grace Pan, head of travel and leisure research for the Nielsen Company, China, said: “Asia remains the most popular destination for Chinese travelers because of the proximity.

“However, trips to Europe and America are becoming increasingly popular, particularly when you add in the number of business travelers.”

Affluent market

“We also found that while mass-market travelers focus on budget travel, there is a fast-emerging affluent market segment prepared to indulge in luxury travel,” Pan said.

The survey found that more than one-third of Chinese overseas travelers choose to stay in four-star hotels, with a further 10 percent opting for five-star accommodation.

Pan said consumers were also becoming more sophisticated and better prepared when planning their trips, using all the information available to them on the Internet.

The survey found that nearly seven in 10 leisure travelers accessed destination websites, and about six in 10 used online travel discussion forums to source information.

The Internet is the most popular source of information for potential travelers, followed by travel agents and other media such as newspapers and magazines.

While the majority of tourists still uses travel agents (61 percent), 29 percent prefer online travel services and 16 percent go via hotel or transport operators’ websites.

Holiday bookings made via the Internet are predicted to increase.

PATA Strategic Intelligence Center director John Koldowski said: “Last year, Chinese made 35 million overseas trips, and the figures are expected to rise dramatically.”

Source: ChinaDaily

Related Articles

China expected to stimulate world travel economy in 2010
16 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Google Marketplace drives corporate travel apps
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

IATA sees brighter 2010 outlook
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Expedia to lift investment in Kuxun.cn
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

How TripAdvisor engages mass influencers
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Ctrip offers best-price guarantee for hotel bookings
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

U.S. travel professionals voice optimism
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

6 ways to drive more online travel sales in 2010
11 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

The “new normal”, you travel differently now
11 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Priceline opens up; Quikbook goes opaque
10 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Most Popular Articles

Does your hotel really need a social media strategy?
11 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

How TripAdvisor engages mass influencers
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

6 ways to drive more online travel sales in 2010
11 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

The need for a more holistic approach to revenue management
10 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Why should I open your e-mail?
09 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing

Google Marketplace drives corporate travel apps
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Starwood runs loyalty pilot program that targets rivals’ customers
15 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Hitwise: US travel website ranks, February 2010
08 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Online travel booking users exceeds 30 million in China
09 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

How have Web 2.0 & social media shaped online hotel marketing?
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Economic Downturn

Recovery over a year away, say European hotel executives
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

China expected to stimulate world travel economy in 2010
16 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

IATA sees brighter 2010 outlook
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Virgin America’s guide to not screwing up customer service
12 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing

UK travelers plan to take multiple trips abroad in 2010
09 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Un-stoppable growth in OTA bookings, GDS still lacking behind
05 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Global hotel prices dropped beyond 2004 levels during 2009
02 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Things are looking up for U.S. airlines
02 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Asia leads travel industry’s recovery
26 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

Meeting buyers see budget cutbacks ease
25 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Travel companies grapple with “new normal”
23 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

Europe likely to see recovery, not growth, says STR
22 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Hogg Robinson Group sees early signs of recovery
22 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

US Travel growth expected in 2010
18 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

IHG’s profit drops 18%, as hotel rates continue to fall
16 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

E-Mail Newsletter


Visit our sponsors: